I think he has been braver in the last few weeks. Where previously he might have dragged Matej Vydra off at half-time when he gave the ball away, he is sort of letting that go now because he knows whoever is in the front four is going to be key to winning the game.

If you have the quality of Vydra, and Tom Lawrence, you have to play to their strengths and I think Gary is doing that now.

We are still taking time to get going in games.

It took us half-an-hour to get going at Barnsley, because we do tend to play on the counter and we are a bit hectic at times instead of having that little bit more control.

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Craig Ramage

When Derby do find that little bit of control and have passages of play in the final third, that is when they start to hurt teams and create chances.

Teams like Leeds, Middlesbrough and Norwich have not found the consistency that we have. We are right up there in the form guide, which tells its own story.

We have been here before and that is why many people are keeping their feet on the ground, because we have had runs like this, and been top of the league by Christmas.

Can we sustain this?

We have all been disappointed over the last few years but Derby are going about their business very nicely.

BIG GAME!

With all due respect to recent opponents Barnsley, Burton Albion and Queens Park Rangers, the visit of Aston Villa on Saturday looks a different test for Derby County.

The fixture has history, a game between two big clubs. It looks like a Premier League clash.

I remember playing against Villa and facing the likes of Gordon Cowans and David Platt.

You look at their squad this season, who wouldn't want to go and pit their wits against those players?

As a player, you want to play in these big games.

Villa suffered in the Premier League last season and they were relegated but Steve Bruce has turned them around.

They have strength in depth, they are one of the teams that are going to be up there in and around the top two at the end of the season.

This game is an early six-pointer, for me.

Whoever wins will gain real momentum and confidence to push on.

MR DEPENDABLE

When Scott Carson signed for Derby County, I thought he was a real steal - an international goalkeeper with pedigree and experience.

Look at his clean sheet record since he joined Derby, that tells you everything.

When teams do get through us, he is always there, pulling of some fantastic saves.

Remember the one at the back post in the 2-1 victory at Norwich and his brilliant reactions to deny Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga a minute before Matej Vydra put Derby ahead at the Riverside Stadium?

Scott Carson (Image: Andy Clarke)

And then there was the one in the second half at Barnsley on Saturday when Derby led 2-0. Had we conceded a goal then, the result might well have been different.

Even when we have lost games, Scott has made some cracking saves.

He has been absolutely vital in this current run of form.

Scott was player of the year last season, and that was fully deserved, and he has carried his form into this season.

He has been Mr Dependable.

I was very lucky to play and train with some top keepers in my playing days.

Here's my top three ...

PETER SHILTON

It was a real eye-opener when Shilts walked in the dressing room for the first time after signing for Derby. There was a real aura about him, and you'll never meet a nicer man.

He was a great keeper but also a great trainer. He would do extra on the training pitch, he would work himself into the ground.

He didn't like it when you chipped him in training and the ball found the net, keepers hate that. They tend to pick the ball out of the net and boot it as far as possible.

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I liked to chip the keepers, that was my cheeky character, and I knocked a few past Shilts in training at the Ramarena (Derby's old training ground) and so I had to go and fetch the ball off Raynesway a few times!

Shilts was fantastic, his shot-stopping was second to none. Some of the saves he made would make your jaw drop and leave you wondering: 'How did he keep that out?'

How many caps did he win for England? 125? You don't get them unless you are a bit special.

MARTIN TAYLOR

Martin was a fantastic keeper, as well.

He was under the wing of Shilts, he learned his trade off Shilts. They worked together each day and when Shilts hung up his gloves, Martin got his opportunity and took it.

He broke his leg in a game at Southend and that was a desperately unlucky blow for him. It probably cost him a career at the very top.

KEVIN MILLER

I played with Kevin at Watford.

He was the best kicker of the ball I have seen from a keeper. He would arrow the ball into you at 100 miles per hour, he could really ping it. He would never loop the ball to you, which would give your marker a chance of winning it, he would drill it to you. His reflexes were so sharp and he could get down very quickly for a big lad.

I also have to mention Darren Ward at Notts County. All of them were fantastic keepers, but obviously I would beat them all in training!